Sydney’s main live site for Matildas fans hit capacity more than one hour before Australia’s semi-final match, as the public transport system appear to struggle under pressure on Wednesday night.
The Matildas are battling England at Stadium Australia in Sydney Olympic Park for a spot in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, selling more than 80,000 tickets and drawing huge numbers of supporters to public viewing sites across the country.
Matildas fans at Tumbalong Park on Wednesday.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Trains has issued a statement urging anyone getting to Sydney Olympic Park from Redfern Station to add an extra 15 minutes of travel time to their journey, due to earlier urgent repairs.
The repairs have resulted in huge lines at both Redfern and Lidcombe station, and an anxious wait for those trying to make it to Homebush by 8pm kick-off.
“Trains are still running frequently, but journey times will be longer,” Sydney Trains wrote on social media.
Matildas fans cheer on Australia at the packed fan site in Tumbalong Park.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
In one case, a train was supposed to leave Central at 6.52pm. It was still outside Homebush at 7.31pm.
More than100,000 people were expected to travel to Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday night, with Luke Combs also playing at nearby Qudos Bank Arena.
Security stopped letting people in at the Matildas live site in Tumbalong Park at 6.27pm, sending patrons up to the ICC Sydney rooftop.
Tumbalong Park has been the most popular live site in Sydney throughout this tournament thanks to its FIFA fan festival, which boats a chip-only Maccas stand, the FIFA museum and heaps of entertainment.
Wetherill Park friends Lisa Sherry and Belinda Stampetta got here at 4pm to get a prime spot. Sherry said the pair played uno and did face painting to pass the time.
Crowds gather at Federation Square to watch the Matilda’s play England in the World Cup.Credit: Joe Armao
“I’ve been coming here for all of them. It’s good to see the Aussies get together after COVID; this is what we needed,” she said.
Matilda Randall came here with a big group of friends, who sprinted here straight after the bell from International Grammar School at 4pm.“We knew it was going to have a great atmosphere,” she said.
A number of fans at Tumbalong Park were spotted jumping the fence near the restrooms.
At Federation Square, Melbourne’s main fan site, groups of football fans were blocked from entering are twice breaking down barriers to push past security and into the city centre.
Police have been called in to support security guards now the barriers have once again been reinstated, as a select few make their frustrations heard at being locked out.
Organisers are reminding the thousands of people gathered at Fed Square that this is “a family-friendly event” and they have time to make it to AAMI Park ahead of kick off to watch the game there.
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